Timing switch fob automobile



Feb. 18, 1941. GUBEMCK 2,232,384

TIMING SWITCH FOR AUTOMOBILE LIGHTING CIRCUITS Filed April 25, 1940MIIIHHI;

HIHHUH I INVENTOR Ma, ubem'ck a 2 ATTORgY Patented Feb. 18, 1941 PATENTOFFICE TERHNG SWITCH FOR AUTOMOBILE LIGHTING CIRCUITS Max Gubcnick,Philadelphia, Pa, assignor of twenty-five per cent to Herman Weiner,Philadelphia, Pa.

Application April 25, 1940, Serial No. 331,625

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a switch and relates particularly to a timingswitch for the lighting system for motor driven vehicles.

Automobile parking is permitted during the entire night on certain citystreets in some cities provided there is a warning light on the vehicle.In the city of Philadelphia, for example, there is a city ordinancewhich requires a warning light to be illuminated on the vehicle betweenthe hours of 3:00 oclock a. m. and 5:00 oclock a. In. To keep theelectric warning signal illuminated on the automobile each night willresult in the rapid deterioration of the electric storage batterybecause of the electrical energy consumed by the signal, or for a personto arise and close the electrical switch at 3:00 oclock a. m. and toopen the electrical switch at 5:00 oclock a. in. would be unreasonablebecause people usually sleep at those hours of the morning.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a simple electriclight control unit which may be connected to a standard chronometerwithout excessive alternation to the chronometer.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electrical switch whichmay be shifted or moved optionally to control the electrical circuit ofa lighting system for different periods during the day.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electrical circuitcontroller which is simple, accurate, and efiicient when used inconjunction with a vehicle lighting system.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch which may beutilized with a time piece wherein the time piece is free to perform itsordinary functions as a time piece and which switch is electricallydisconnected at all times except during the interval following theclosing of the circuit.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved device of thecharacter described, that is easily and economically produced, and whichis sturdy in construction.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in thefollowing details of construction and combination of parts, as will bemore fully understood from the following description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows my invention as combined with a chronometer and with theelectrical lighting system schematically shown.

Fig. 2 is a side fragmentary elevational view of my ring time switchembodying my invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the. line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now in greater detail to the draw ing, I show a standardchronometer or time 5 piece, generally designated as A. The chronometermay be electrically or mechanically actuated, and for the purpose ofthis invention, it is immaterial how the chronometer is actuated.

The chronometer A has a dial or graduated plate or graduated face Illwhich has the hour designations thereon as well as an hour hand I l anda minute hand M. The standard hour hand is removed from the chronometerand is replaced by an hour hand having a spring end 16 which carries acontact roller [8 comprised of insulating material to prevent thechronometer mechanism from becoming magnetized by virtue of its contactwith the live electrical circuit. lChe hour hand H and the spring end I820 form an oblique angle with one another and are resilient so that theinsulated roller will always tend to push radially outwardly.

An annular ring-like switch, generally designated as B, is constructedso that it may fit within the rim of the chronometer, and it will notinterfere with the customary function and operation of the time piece.The annular ringlike switch B is constructed in the following manner:the periphery of an insulating ring 25 has a groove 21 therein for thepurpose of retaining electrical conducting wires 20 and 22. Upon theinner radius of the ring 25 is attached a metallic contact 24 which hasone end permanently affixed to the inner ring, and the other end of thecontact has a plurality of serrations 26 therein. Overlapping theserrated metallic contact 24 is a second curved elongated metallicmember 28, which is adapted to be pressed by the roller l8 into contactwith the serrations 26.

The contact member 28 has its free or unattached end 29 extendedoutwardly so that the roller l8 may ride it when the hour hand H isturned counterclockwise, as would be the case when setting the time oradjusting for the correct time.

In the event that the roller l8 does not press against the curvedsurface of the resilient contact 28, the contact member 28 will springaway from and, therefore, be disengaged from the serrated contact member26, thus opening the electrical circuit and permitting the chronometerto function in its usual capacity.

The length of the contact members 24 and 28 can be regulated to be aslong as or as short as desired, depending upon the length of time duringwhich the electrical circuit is to be completed by virtue of thecontacts engaging one another. The roller provides a rolling contactwhich will not wear and, therefore, the life of the switch will berelatively long.

One end of the insulated electric wire 22 is suitably connected by arivet, bolt, soldering, or any other suitable means, to one end of theswitch contact 28, and the wire 20 is suitably connected to one end ofthe other switch contact 26.

A separate control switch C may be located on the dashboard of theautomobile in order to control the circuit at the will of the operator,for example, if the vehicle is placed in a garage it will not benecessary to use the electric warning signal.

The electric signal lamp is generally designated as L, and the source ofthe current, which is usually a storage battery, is designated generallyas D.

In order that there will not be any trouble or dispute in the event thechronometer should be fast or slow, it is advisable to have the switchclosed for usually a longer period than that required, both at thebeginning of the critical period of illumination and the termination ofthe critical period of the illumination of the lamp.

In the event it is desired to have the lamp illuminated from 12:00oclock a. m. until 3:00 oclock a. m., it is only necessary to oscillatethe ring switch B so that the contact 28 is substantially positionedbetween the hours of 12:00 oclock a. m. to 3:00 oclock a. m. on thechronometer A.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, suchdescription is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, since theinvention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention isto be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electrical switch adapted to be inserted upon the marginalperiphery of a dial comprising an annular member, a groove on theoutside periphery of the annular member, electrical conducting wires insaid groove, a pair of electrical contacts upon the inner periphery ofsaid ringlike member, one of said contact members being serratedadjacent one end, and the other of said members having a continuouscurve, both contacts being resilient.

2. The combination of a chronometer and a detachable electric switch,said chronometer including an hour hand having a resiliently pressedinsulated roller at the end of the hour hand, said electric switchcomprising an annular insulating member, a pair of electric wiresembedded in the insulating member, a pair of electrical contacts uponthe inner curved periphery of said annular member, one of saidelectrical contacts being corrugated at one end, the other of saidelectrical contacts having a continuous smooth curved surface, the endof said last-mentioned contact being turned outwardly whereby the rollermay move upon it when the hour hand is turned counterclockwise, and saidcontacts adapted to be pressed together to close the electrical circuitwhen the roller engages one of said contacts.

MAX GUBENICK.

